Category: Painting

We all have our own life’s journey, but we also share so many commonalities. As we travel thru the years, we all experience both profound and very simple events like summer swims, feeding the ducks, posing in our finery and roasting Thanksgiving turkeys. Old photos from my personal collection inspire my work. Painting allows me to get lost in these simple moments that soothe our souls in this turbulent world.

My paintings are based on old photographs taken way before the time of curating the perfect photo with digital media. The unsophistication and imperfection of those simple black and white photos speak to me both graphically and sentimentally. I might try to rebalance with color choices and also tweak small details here and there, but the authenticity of the original photo is important to maintain for me. I do most of my own color mixing, probably one of the most enjoyable parts of the painting process.

Composition, balance, color, form, messaging and engagement of the viewers eye all played a part in my past design work as a graphic designer for more than 20 years in the Twin Cities. These attributes are also just as important to me as a painter.

People often ask why I keep the faces blank. I want the viewer to feel a universality of the snapshot captured. This collection is mostly from my family however it could be your family too. By converting complicated shapes and images into simple forms, the viewer can fill in their own details. Use your own imagination to creating images and feelings, as you would when you read a non illustrated book that invites you in.

I am an active quilter never having used a sewing machine in over 30 years. They call me crazy. I also love sketching and mosaicing particularly using Mexican Smalti.

BFA, Painting and Drawing,
Lake Erie College
Painesville Ohio